The protestors oppose oil drilling in the Arctic due to fears that the natural ecosystem could be damaged.

Lawless and her seven co-defendants appeared in court this week to have their charges reduced from burglary to trespassing, with their attorneys also asking for no conviction ruling yet.

All eight demonstrators will return to court on September 14 for sentencing, reports APNZ.

Lawless told reporters following the court proceeding that her protest was entirely justified in order to protect the animal population from the effects of drilling.

"I think we've helped kick off a great movement," the actress insisted.

She also said: "We want to tell [those responsible for deep sea oil drilling] absolutely under no circumstances is this a good idea. They are robbing our children of their birthright to a clean and healthy planet and they know it."